EPISODE · Nov 11, 2019 · 2H 8M

We Could Be Heroes (w/ Will Arbery)

from Know Your Enemy · host Will Arbery, Sam Adler-Bell, Matthew Sitman

Will Arbery's play "Heroes of the Fourth Turning"—about four conservative Catholic friends arguing under a night sky in Wyoming—feels like it was written to be discussed on Know Your Enemy. An ominous meditation on faith, conservatism, empathy, cruelty, and power, "Heroes" has ignited debate and garnered praise across the political spectrum—from First Things to the (failing) New York Times to Rod Dreher's blog at the American Conservative. Arbery was raised by conservative Catholic professors and grew up imbibing the ideas of the right and the teachings of the Church. He writes from a place of deep love and withering scrutiny. Lucky for us (and you!) Will displays all the sensitivity, intellectually curiosity, and love in this conversation that he does in his remarkable play. Enjoy!You can buy tickets to see "Heroes" here, which is playing in NYC until November 17. Watch a preview here.Further Reading:The New York Times profile of Will, "A Play about God and Trump, from a Writer Raised on the Right"Vinson Cunningham, "A Play About the Nuances of Conservatism in the Trump Era," The New Yorker, October 14, 2019B.D. McClay, "Heroes of the Fourth Turning’ is a haunted play about religious conservatives," The Outline, November 5, 2019Rod Dreher, "Will Arbery’s Heroes," The American Conservative, October 2, 2019C.C. Pecknold, "An extraordinary play that challenges progressives and conservatives alike," Catholic Herald, October 1, 2019